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Millionaire blasts the tranquility of village life with his war games
Last updated at 22:22pm on 08.06.07
Mr Burnett hosted the all-day war games to celebrate his 51st birthday
But few would be prepared for their peace to be shattered by warplanes staging mock bombing runs. Nor would they expect to see troops and tanks re-enacting battles.
Yet the neighbours of Charles Burnett III endured precisely that when the flamboyant tycoon celebrated his 51st birthday.
Older residents said the war games revived traumatic memories of the Blitz.
Althea Ayre, a widow in her 80s, said: "There were lots of people going about in camouflage and tanks driving around - it was very frightening.
"But then Mr Burnett likes to let everyone know when he's in residence. He's terribly rich and he's quite infantile with all his toys.
"I lived through the Second World War and I have painful memories of that time."
The celebrations took place at Mr Burnett's leased Georgian mansion, Newtown Park near Lymington in the New Forest.
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The elaborate celebrations consisted of explosions and gunfire
The powerboat racer, who made his fortune in the restaurant trade, owns a Chieftain tank and an Abbot self-propelled gun. Both were called into action.
Pamela Watson, 75, said the event reminded her of growing up in wartime Sheffield.
"It was like the Blitz," she said. "The planes were swooping in so low and I was very frightened by them.
"There were loud explosions as well which literally shook the windows in my kitchen.
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An aerial view of the military machines
"It sounded like there was a war going on and I had to stay indoors. I suppose they thought they were having a jolly good time but for us it was a nightmare."
The mock bombing raids by a 1930s Harvard fighter involved ground-based explosions.
Two other vintage planes flew in for the event attended by 100 guests in war-themed costumes.
They watched 20 off-duty soldiers stage re-enactments to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. A 20-piece orchestra and fireworks display completed the entertainment.
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The all-day war games display brought back painful memories of the Blitz for some local Second World War survivors
Mr Burnett's estate manager, Rob Gray, branded the complaints as "sour grapes" and said the event had raised £27,000 for charity.
"We only have these parties every five years or so, but if you listened to these people you would think we had them every week," he added.
Mr Burnett was born in Britain to an American father and a Canadian mother.
The grounds of Burnett's estate in Hampshire were transformed into a battle zone
Reader views (5)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
It was a fitting tribute to our brave troops, and yet another big donation to add to the millions Charles and his family have given to British charities.
If only more people would dedicate themselves to helping our country in so many ways.
Top man.
- Colin Stocker, Stone, Bucks U.K.
There are many re-enactment events held around the country and the neighbours don't appear to be scared witless. If they are only held every five years or so I don't think the neighbours have much to complain about.
- Barry, Derby
"The main thing was that we celebrated my employer's birthday."
Not the money raised for charity then? Or the fact that they scared a whole community witless?
Selfishness in the extreme.
- Brian, Birmingham, UK
A good sum raised for charity. Some people will complain about anything.
- Stan, UK
Now that's how you have a party! The residents are probably just ticked off because they didn't get invited.
- Jay, London
